Long Products Technology Committee Activities

The LPTC met 17 August 2024, Charleston, S.C., USA.  As one of four simultaneous meetings bringing AIST members to Charleston, S.C., USA, the LPTC commenced their fall activities just ahead of the Globe-Trotters Member Chapter annual meeting.  A status report for the upcoming Long Products Rolling Fundamentals course was provided by Technology Training Conference co-chair Andrew Schless. Rob Westropp gave a quick look at the abstracts already submitted for AISTech 2025, which will be held in Nashville, Tenn., USA. Young Professional  chair Lauren Drew reported on Young Professional recruitment activities. Joe Kennedy led a discussion on updates to the AIST Canada and U.S. Long Products Roundup. All in attendance participated in a discussion on safety and industry fatalities. The LPTC met prior to the Globe-Trotters Member Chapter annual meeting (left to right): Chris Hill, Brian Wilson, Sam Stone, Andy Layne, Mike Koprivnak, Andrew Schless, Lauren Drew, Rob Westropp and Joe Kennedy.

The LPTC met 5 February 2024, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA. The LPTC meeting was held in conjunction with the Long Products Rolling Fundamentals conference in Salt Lake City, Utah. The planning for three separate AISTech sessions was outlined by Chris Hill, with future committee leaders now volunteering for the papers chair and Young Professional recruitment positions. Since there were many mill representatives at the meeting, an extensive roundup upgrade was led by Joe Kennedy and a discussion on fatalities was joined by everyone who attended.

The LPTC met 10 September 2023, Orlando, Fla., USA The Long Products Technology Committee took advantage of co-locating with the Globe-Trotters Member Chapter’s annual meeting in Orlando, Fla., USA, and held their meeting the day before. Doug Durand called everyone to order, and introduced the current committee vice chair Sam Stone and papers chair Chris Hill. Hill led a review of the abstracts being selected for AISTech 2024. Extensive discussions on the latest Steel Industry Fatalities report and the AIST 2023 Long Products Roundup benefited from comments by all attendees. Stone offered a conference planning report for the 2024 Long Products Rolling Technology Training course using information supplied by Kevin Barbee. A liaison report on decarbonization activity was given by Bill Lucas, who also provided an extensive presentation on technology advances in electrifying the induction heating process as a step toward alternative energy sources beyond natural gas. Mario Fabro described the details of the 2023 European Study Tour which will be attended by 15 committee members who were set to travel to various long products mills throughout Germany in the latter half of September.

Patrick Peek (left) presented Doug Durand (right) with the LPTC service plaque. The LPTC met 8 May 2023, Detroit, MI, USA. The following officers were elected: Chair: Doug Durand - Nucor Steel–Berkeley Vice Chair: Sam Stone - Steel Dynamics Inc. – Structural and Rail Division Papers Chair: Christopher Hill - Gerdau Long Steel North America Cartersville Mill Education Chair: Kevin Barbee - Nucor Steel Lexington Young Professional Chair: Andrea Herrmann - Nucor Steel–Berkeley Roundup Chair: Joe Kennedy - Quad Engineering Inc. Study Tour Chair: Mario Fabro - SMS group Inc. Digitalization Liaison: Antonio Ambra - AIC North America Decarbonization Liaison: William Lucas - Fives ST

the LPTC met 22 February 2023, Orlando, Fla., USA. The LPTC’s meeting was held concurrently with Long Products Rolling — A Practical Training Seminar.  The committee’s AISTech sessions being developed were explained by papers chair Sam Stone, who highlighted the three sessions that will be focusing on digitalization, measurement and metallurgy, and recent mill upgrades. LPTC chair Doug Durand led a review of the committee’s leadership for the next term. A comprehensive decarbonization discussion was led by Bill Lucas as he detailed the role of the liaison network. The committee also discussed its upcoming Germany Study Tour, which is targeted for September 2023, and the 2023 Long Products Roundup, which will be published in December 2023.

The LPTC met 27 August 2022, Corpus Christi, Texas, USA. LPTC vice chair Patrick Peek opened the meeting with a round of introductions for the mix of 10 people, some newcomers and long-time members. Most were also in town to attend the Globe-Trotters Member Chapter annual meeting. Attendees noted how their post-pandemic conditions were returning to normal, but some challenges remain. Past chair Chris Petrie was voted in as the members chair.  During a review of the Steel Industry Fatalities report, several personal observations helped to emphasize the reality that near misses are still occurring, and how these are sobering reminders of the need to practice a safe working mindset.  Papers chair Sam Stone reviewed the slate of abstracts for AISTech 2023 and is looking to fill at least one LPTC session, if not two. A decarbonization presentation focusing on reheat furnace gaseous abatement strategies and technology in the industry came from the committee’s decarbonization liaison Bill Lucas. The upcoming training seminar in Orlando, Fla., USA, was discussed. Dates for a European International Study Tour are likely to shift to June 2023. Attendees of the LPTC’s meeting in Texas included (left to right): Bill Lucas, Chris Petrie, Fermin De La Maza, Nick Gravitt, Chris Hill, Brandon Martin, Patrick Peek, Ronald Strauss and Sam Stone.

Doug Durand (left) presented the LPTC service plaque to  Chris Petrie (right). The LPTC met 16 May 2022, Pittsburgh, PA, USA. The following officers were elected: Chair: Doug Durand  /  Nucor Steel–Berkeley Vice Chair: Patrick Peek  /  Gerdau Long Steel North America Cartersville Mill Papers Chair: Sam Stone  /  Steel Dynamics Inc. – Structural and Rail Division Education Chair: Kevin Barbee  /  Danieli Corp. Roundup Chair: Joe Kennedy  /  Quad Engineering Inc. Young Professional Chair: Andrea Herrmann  /  Nucor Steel–Berkeley Decarbonization Liaison: William Lucas  /  Fives ST

The LPTC met 22 February 2022, Atlanta, Ga., USA. Chris Petrie, LPTC chair, opened the meeting with a discussion on the latest Steel Industry Fatalities report. Next, the committee finalized both LPTC-sponsored sessions for AISTech 2022 and nominated their committee officers for the 2022–2023 term. The group then reviewed the collection of data for the 2022 Canada and U.S. Long Products Roundup, which is scheduled for publication in the September 2022 issue of Iron & Steel Technology. The LPTC’s meeting took place just prior to the start of the 2022 Long Products Rolling — A Practical Training Seminar. There were a few suggestions given for the location and tour host for the 2023 Long Products Rolling seminar, which will be finalized at the next meeting. The committee also discussed plans for an international study tour of long product mills in Germany. The group is looking to organize the tour for October 2022.

The LPTC met 29 June 2021, Nashville, TN USA. The following officers were elected: Chair: Chris Petrie, Steel Dynamics Inc. – Structural and Rail Division Vice Chair: Doug Durand, Nucor Steel–Berkeley Papers Chair: Patrick Peek, Gerdau Long Steel North America Cartersville Mill Education Chair: Kevin Barbee, Danieli Corp. Roundup Chair: Joe Kennedy, Quad Engineering Inc. Membership Chair: Jerry Herrmann, Nucor Steel–Berkeley Young Professional Chair: Sam Stone, Steel Dynamics Inc. – Structural and Rail Division Digital Transformation Liaison: Antonio Ambra, Automazioni Industriali Capitanio (AIC)

The LPTC held a meeting San Antonio, Texas, USA, prior to Long Products — A Practical Training Seminar, 10 May 2021.
 Doug Durand reviewed the 2020 Steel Industry Fatalities Report and led a safety discussion.
Patrick Peek reported that currently there are two sessions organized by LPTC at AISTech 2021 with a total of seven papers.
Joe Kennedy advised the group that the 2021 AIST Canada and U.S. Long Products Roundup will be circulated soon for updates.
The 2022 training seminar was discussed, with venue preferences near either Nucor Steel Florida or Gerdau Long Steel North America Cartersville Mill.
Sam Stone reported on recent Young Professionals activities, including the recent Young Professional and Board of Directors Virtual Mentor Mixer and university virtual visits.
Tom Campbell of Nextsense gave a presentation on the new portable laser measuring devices available for the long products industry.

The LPTC held a virtual meeting 11 February 2021.
LPTC chair Chris Petrie kicked off the meeting with a review of the latest AIST Steel Industry Fatalities report, which led into a lively roundtable safety discussion. The LPTC’s AISTech 2021 sessions were reviewed, with one session on Tuesday afternoon and two sessions on Wednesday. The committee also decided that its leadership will remain the same for next year’s term.
Joe Kennedy reported on the 2021 AIST Canada and U.S. Long Products Roundup, with a request to inform him of new facilities being built and missing mills on the current list.
Finally, the committee reviewed the upcoming 2021 Long Products Training Conference, which is scheduled for 11–13 May 2021 in San Antonio, Texas, USA.

The LPTC held a virtual meeting 6 October 2020.
The LPTC discussed attracting more active members by having three or four presentations focused on a particular topic. A list of topics will be generated and followed for future meetings.
Patrick Peek, papers chair, reported that there are 12 long products abstracts available for AISTech 2021. He will organize them and present them to the LPTC to then be organized into sessions. The Call for Abstracts text was reviewed and approved for AISTech 2022.
The LPTC thanked roundup chair Joe Kennedy for his work pulling together the Long Products Rolling Roundup, which appeared in the September issue of Iron & Steel Technology.
The next Long Products Rolling — A Practical Training Seminar is scheduled for 8–11 February 2021 in San Antonio, Texas, USA, and will include a tour of CMC Steel Texas.
Presentations:

• Brenda Chan and Bill Lucas of Fives presented on the Virtuo OptiScale control system for minimizing oxide scale formation within the reheat furnaces.

• Chris Petrie, Steel Dynamics Inc. (SDI) – Structural and Rail Divison, discussed SDI’s new approach to safety.

The LPTC held a virtual meeting 30 April 2020.
The LPTC’s meeting began with a review of the committee’s sessions scheduled for AISTech 2020. Jerry Herrmann gave a recap of the 2020 Pipe & Tube — A Practical Training Seminar, which took place in Jacksonville, Fla., USA, in February. The next iteration of the training seminar is tentatively scheduled for February 2021 in San Antonio, Texas, and will include a tour of CMC Steel Texas.
Joe Kennedy reported that the AIST Canada and U.S. Long Products Roundup is nearly complete and will be printed in the September issue of Iron & Steel Technology.
Bridget Darby reported that the Long Products International Study Tour planning has been derailed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This subject will be revisited during the next committee meeting at AISTech 2020.
The LPTC finished their meeting by confirming their officers for the 2020–2021 term. The new officers are:

• Chair: Chris Petrie, Steel Dynamics Inc. – Structural and Rail Division.

• Vice chair: Doug Durand, Nucor Steel–Berkeley.

• Papers chair: Patrick Peek, Gerdau Long Steel North America Cartersville Mill.

• Education chair: Kevin Barbee, Danieli.

• Roundup chair: Joe Kennedy, Quad Engineering.

• Membership chair: Jerry Herrmann, Nucor Steel–Berkeley.

• Young Professional chair: Sam Stone, Steel Dynamics Inc. – Structural and Rail Division.

• Digitalization co-liaisons: Jeffrey Clare, Thermbond Refractory Solutions, and Rob Schwiebert, Steel Dynamics Inc. – Structural and Rail Division.

The LPTC met 10 February 2020, Jacksonville, Fla., USA.
The LPTC meeting took place the day before the 2019 Long Products Rolling training seminar. The meeting began with a review of the 2019 Steel Industry Fatalities report.
Doug Durand gave an update for the LPTC’s finalized AISTech 2020 sessions and reviewed the roles of session chair and papers chair.
The committee nominated officers for the 2020–2021 term. The final vote will take place at AISTech 2020.
Joe Kennedy reported on updates to the AIST Canadian and U.S. Long Products Roundup, which will be published in the September 2020 issue of Iron & Steel Technology.
The LPTC mulled over possible locations for the 2021 Long Products Rolling Fundamentals training seminar. They also previewed their Fall 2020 meeting, which will be co-located with the Globe-Trotters Member Chapter’s annual meeting in Amelia Island, Fla., USA.
The next day committee members toured CMC Steel Florida together with attendees of the Long Products Rolling seminar.

The Long Products Technology Committee toured CMC Steel Florida on 11 February 2020 (left to right): Jimmy Deberry, Carlos Zanoelo, LPTC chair Jerry Herrmann and Ty Hall.

The LPTC met 7 September 2019, Milwaukee, Wis., USA.
The LPTC reviewed the 2019 Steel Industry Fatalities report, followed by a roundtable discussion. Plant emergency procedures for critical weather conditions were shared.
Doug Durand, papers chair, led a discussion on the LPTC’s AISTech 2020 technical session development. The committee has three sessions scheduled. Volunteers for session chair were taken, and the instructions for papers chair and session chair instructions were reviewed.
The 2021 AIST Germany Long Products Study Tour will be held 5–11 December 2021. A list of tour sites will be reviewed at the next LPTC meeting.
Joe Kennedy gave an update on the committee’s roundup, which includes 92 mills.
Long Products Rolling — A Practical Training Seminar will be held 10–13 February 2020 in Jacksonville, Fla., USA, with a tour of CMC Steel Florida.

Presentations:

• Jerry Herrmann, Nucor Steel–Berkeley: Safety awareness from the 2017 Italy Long Products Study Tour.

• Joe Kennedy, Quad Engineering: “Hands-On Training/Mobile Unit.”

• Chris Petrie, Steel Dynamics Inc. – Structural and Rail Division: Steel Dynamics Inc. – Structural and Rail Division rolling mill expansion.

• Fermin De La Maza, Russula Corp.: Update on water treatment projects at Nucor Steel

The LPTC met 7 May 2019, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
The following officers were elected:

Chair: Jerry Herrmann, Nucor Steel–Berkeley

Vice chair: Chris Petrie, Steel Dynamics Inc. – Structural and Rail Division

Papers chair: Doug Durand, Nucor Steel–Berkeley

Education chair: Kevin Barbee, Danieli Corp.

Roundup chair: Joe Kennedy, Quad Engineering Inc.

The LPTC met 25 February 2019, Charleston, S.C., USA.
The meeting was held prior to the start of Long Products Rolling — A Practical Training Seminar. A review of the seminar can be found on pages 316–317 of this issue.
The LPTC meeting began with a review of the Steel Industry Fatalities report and a safety roundtable discussion.
Derek Voight, LPTC papers chair, reviewed the committee’s AISTech 2019 technical sessions. The LPTC has five sessions scheduled. He also discussed the roles of session chairs and papers chair.
Nominations were taken for LPTC officers for the 2019–2020 term.
A few plant ownership and operations changes were acknowledged, including Gerdau and CMC, as well as the former ArcelorMittal Georgetown plant and Keystone Steel and Wire, which are now part of Liberty Steel. 
Chris Petrie and Derek Voight will represent the LPTC at the AIST Digital Transformation Task Force during AISTech.
The LPTC discussed the 2020 edition of its Long Products Rolling training seminar. The 10th annual Long Products Rolling seminar will be held (tentatively) on 24–28 February 2020 in Jacksonville, Fla., USA, with CMC Steel Florida serving as plant host.  
Next up on the agenda was discussion of the 2019 Sweden Long Products Study Tour, which will be held 
29 May–5 June in collaboration with Jernkontoret. Registration will be limited to 25 participants.
The LPTC’s Fall 2019 meeting will be held on 7 September 2019 before registration for the Globe-Trotters Member Chapter annual meeting in Milwaukee, Wis., USA. Charter Steel – Saukville will serve as the host plant.
The following individuals gave presentations:

• Jerry Herrmann, Nucor Steel–Berkeley: Safety awareness from study tours.

• Joe Kennedy, Quad Engineering: Hands-on training/mobile units.

• Chris Petrie, Steel Dynamics Inc. – Structural and Rail Division: Steel Dynamics Inc. – Structural and Rail Division expansion.

• Steve Pegg, Russula Corp.: Water treatments at Nucor Steel Marion Inc. and Nucor Steel Kankakee Inc.

• Roger Wallberg, AIC North America Corp.: AIC’s latest innovations in rolling.

The LPTC met 24 August 2018, Colorado Springs, Colo., USA. 
The LPTC reviewed the 2018 Steel Industry Fatalities statistics, followed by a roundtable discussion.
Papers chair Derek Voight discussed the LPTC’s AISTech 2019 technical session development. Eighteen abstracts had been submitted at the time. Also discussed were the instructions for papers chair and session chair.
Jerry Herrmann and Chris Petrie will represent the LPTC at the AIST Leadership Conference in New Orleans, La., USA, in November.
Joe Kennedy, roundup chair, provided an update on the Long Products Roundup, which was published in the August 2018 issue of Iron & Steel Technology. Kennedy requested that LPTC members help in updating plant statistics reported every year.
Education chair Kevin Barbee spoke about the Long Products training seminar, which will be held 22–28 February 2019 in Charleston, S.C., USA, with Nucor Steel–Berkeley serving as host plant. Additional seminar topics to be considered are cold finishing, tagging and shearing. Those interested in participating should contact Kevin Barbee.
Planning for the 2019 United Kingdom Long Products Study Tour was discussed. The tour will be held on 9–15 June 2019, with visits of seven or eight steel plants. The LPTC will decide on what plants will be selected for tours. Registration is currently open. The maximum number of participants will be 24 producer members and six dinner sponsors. Please contact Pat Philbin for more information.
The following technical presentations were given:

• “Cold Finishing Operations,” by Derek Voight, Nucor LMP Steel Inc.

• “Cold Finishing Processes,” by George Burnet, Braun Machine Technologies.

• “New Reheat Installations at SDI Roanoke and Nucor Marion,” by Mario Fabro, SMS group Inc.

• “Optical Gauge Technologies,” by Bridget Darby,  LAP Laser.

• “Using R-Factors to Improve Product Performance at Gerdau Manitoba,” by Joe Kennedy, Quad Engineering Inc.

• “Thermomechanical Rolling of Low-Alloy Bar/Rod Steels,” by Bob Cryderman, Colorado School of Mines.

The LPTC met 8 May 2018, Philadelphia, PA, USA.

The following officers were elected:

• Chair: Jerry Herrmann, Nucor Steel–Berkeley
• Vice chair: Chris Petrie, Steel Dynamics Inc. – Structural and Rail Division
• Papers chair: Derek Voight, Nucor LMP Steel Inc.
• Members chair: Doug Durand, Nucor Steel–Berkeley
• Education chair: Kevin Barbee, Danieli Corp.
• Roundup chair, Joe Kennedy, Quad Engineering Inc.

The LPTC met 19 February 2018, Fort Worth, Texas, USA. The LPTC reviewed the 2017 Steel Industry Fatalities report, followed by a roundtable safety discussion.
Curt Beerman, papers chair, finalized the committee’s AISTech 2018 sessions, which includes 25 papers over five sessions. The roles of session chair and papers chair were also reviewed.
Nominations for committee officers for the 2018–2019 term were discussed.
The 2018 Long Products training seminar was discussed, which included a plant tour of Gerdau Long Steel North America Midlothian Mill’s rolling mill. A recap of the course appears on pages 308–309 of this issue.
The next Long Products training seminar will be held on 25–28 February 2019.

The following presentations were given:

• “2017 Italy Long Products Study Tour Review,” by Jerry Herrmann, Nucor Steel–Berkeley.

• “Decarburization and Oxidation Control in the Reheat Furnace,” by Dirk Vanderschueren, Steel Masters.

• “Long Products Cold Finishing Operations,” by George Burnet, Braun Machine Technologies & Bueltmann LP.

The LPTC met 9 May 2017, Nashville, Tenn., USA.

The following officers were elected:

• Chair: Tracy Schutz, Nucor Steel Seattle Inc.

• Vice chair: Jerry Herrmann, Nucor Steel–Berkeley

• Papers chair: Curt Beerman, Commercial Metals Company – South Carolina

The RBRTC met 23 February 2017, Atlanta, Ga., USA. The schedule for the Rod & Bar Rolling technical sessions at AISTech 2017 was reviewed and additional session chairs were solicited to fill remaining openings.
Officers for the RBRTC do not rotate this year and no new nominations were volunteered.
The RBRTC reviewed the Rod and Bar Rolling Roundup for the publication in the August 2017 issue of Iron & Steel Technology.
The committee chose 19–23 February 2018 to hold the next Rod and Bar Rolling Specialty Conference and discussed possible locations.
The RBRTC discussed the requirements for a Rod and Bar Rolling Study Tour in Italy this November. Benefits of the tour were discussed and immediate needs were vetted; the planning subcommittee will hold a conference call to continue the momentum.
The RBRTC reviewed the 2016–2017 Steel Industry Fatalities report and held a roundtable safety discussion. A specific safety topic will be added to future agendas to help streamline and drive the safety discussions.     

The RBRTC met 21–22 September 2016, Milwaukee, Wis., USA.  The RBRTC  reviewed the 2016 Steel Industry Fatalities report, followed by a safety roundtable discussion.
Curt Beerman, RBRTC papers chair, reviewed the AISTech 2017 paper sessions. The RBRTC selected session chairs, finalized its AISTech 2018 Call for Papers verbiage and discussed items to be brought up at the AIST Leadership Conference.
The Rod & Bar Mill Roundup was discussed and all were encouraged to review the company data before the next revision.
The program for Rod & Bar Rolling — A Practical Training Seminar, to be held on 21–23 February 2017 at the Atlanta Marriot Marquis, was reviewed and suggestions for new material for 2018 and beyond were discussed. 
The attendees agreed to start holding its fall meeting concurrently with the Globe-Trotters Member Chapter annual meeting to increase participation for both events. Attendees also agreed to move forward with the process of changing its name to the Long Products Technology Committee. 
The committee was joined for lunch by guest presenter Greg Schaefer from Charter Steel – Saukville. Following lunch was a review of the current plan of the Rod & Bar Rolling Study Tour, with an open discussion and question-and-answer session with Schaefer.
Several technical presentations were given:

• “Why Attend an AIST Study Tour?” by Greg Schaefer, Charter Steel – Saukville.

• “Rolling Mill Equipment Update: CMC Billet Welder PPP,” by Curt Beerman, CMC South Carolina.

• “PPP Upgrade at Nucor Steel–Nebraska,” by Harold Marks, Mair Research.

• “Garrett Coiler at Nucor Steel–Nebraska,” by Alan Larson, Nucor Steel–Nebraska.

• Katelyn Scheck, Charter Steel – Saukville, gave a presentation on the facility.

The meeting concluded the following day with a plant tour of Charter Steel – Saukville. 

1. The RBRTC toured Charter Steel – Saukville during its 21–22 September 2016 meeting. 2. Tracy Schutz (left), RBRTC chair, and Jerry Herrmann (right), RBRTC vice chair, presented a plaque of appreciation to Katelyn Scheck (center) of Charter Steel for hosting the tour.

The RBRTC met 22 February 2016, San Antonio, Texas, USA. The RBRTC reviewed the 2015–2016 Steel Industry Fatalities statistics were reviewed, followed by an off-the-record safety roundtable discussion.
AISTech sessions were finalized, with two papers added to the Tuesday afternoon session. Mill efficiency was selected to be the topic for the Rod & Bar Rolling panel discussion.
RBRTC officers were nominated for the 2016–2017 term.
The 2016 AIST Rod and Bar Mill Roundup was reviewed. Revisions need to be made by the next RBRTC meeting to meet the publication deadline.
A Rod and Bar Study Tour Subcommittee was created to begin planning a study tour in Europe.
The RBRTC’s fall meeting will be held on 21–22 September 2016, with Charter Steel – Saukville serving as host plant.
The next Rod and Bar Rolling — A Practical Training Seminar will be held in February 2017 in Cartersville, Ga., USA, with Gerdau Long Steel North America Cartersville Mill serving as host plant.